The Ronald Reagan Memorial Blogpost

Already covered yesterday was the drive to put Ronnie's smiling face on the ten dollar bill. Republicans, fearful Reagan will soon be forgotten by the public much like his costar Bonzo the chimp, have now a laundry list of things they want named after him, including this blogpost.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, offered amendments on Monday to a defense bill to rename the Pentagon as well as the U.S. Missile Defense Agency after the former president.

Reagan is credited with helping win the Cold War with a massive defense build-up, including a space-based missile-defense program, that also contributed to record federal budget deficits.

Several Republicans, joined by a couple of Democrats, offered an amendment the same day to rename the pending defense measure the "Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005."

A Republican aide predicted the amendment to rename the authorization act would be overwhelmingly approved, but said it was unclear if Frist would push for a vote on his amendments.

On another front, Rep. Jeff Miller, a Florida Republican, introduced legislation on Tuesday to have Reagan bump former Democratic President John F. Kennedy off the 50-cent piece.

Reagan would replace another Democrat, former President Andrew Jackson, on the $20 bill under a proposal by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican.

Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, suggested Reagan appear on the $10 bill, now graced with a likeness of Alexander Hamilton, the nation's first U.S. treasury secretary.

"The $10 bill is one of a number of options we are considering to honor Ronald Reagan," said McConnell, declining to elaborate. Others include a stamp, a commemorative coin or a medal to those who champion international peace.

Also a proposal to rename the Pentagon is in the works as well.

All these are well and good, but maybe Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle has the best idea, no doubt in an effort to kiss up to Republican voters in his home state.

"I think the best way to remember President Reagan is to fully fund Alzheimer's research and to find a cure to that dreaded disease some time soon," Daschle said. Reagan died after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Daschle's idea aside, the guy isn't even in the ground yet and we already want to name the planet after him? I think we should take a step back here, folks, remember the guy, and then figure out the best way to memorialize him. Maybe rename Granada, or the budget deficit after him. You know, something that symbolizes his accomplishments.

*UPDATE* For more on the Reagan legacy still felt today, visit here.